C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000015
SIPDISE.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2018
TAGS: PRELPGOVGGLH
SUBJECT: LITHUANIA WANTS TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE AS U.S. ON
GEORGIA
REF: 08 STATE 134559
Classified By: Ambassador John A. Cloud for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
Â¶1. (C) Post discussed reftel points January 5 and 6 with MFA
U/S Talat-Kelpsa and Acting Director of the Eastern
Neighborhood Policy Department Nortautas Statkus. Both were
happy to hear of our strategic policy on Georgia and
emphasized that Lithuania "wants to be on the same page" as
us on this issue. Statkus suggested that some kind of
middleman will be necessary to facilitate future GoG -
Abkhazia/S. Ossetia dialogue. He noted that, aside from the
meetings in Geneva, the two sides are not talking directly to
each other but will eventually need to do so.
Â¶2. (C) Talat-Kelpsa stressed that although Lithuania supports
using the sticks outlined, notably the possible visa ban on
separatist leaders, the real challenge will be getting other
EU countries to agree. He also said the GOL wants to
discourage ordinary S. Ossetians and Abkhazians from using
passports recently distributed to them by Russia. The GOL
suggests doing this by erecting procedural roadblocks against
USG and Schengen visa applicants from Georgia who currently
hold a Russian passport. This might include a ten day
processing period or requiring them to show their internal
Russian passports -- something S. Ossetians and Abkhazians
would not have.
Â¶3. (C) Post comment and request: Statkus made clear the GOL
wants to consult with us on this issue, and is willing to
make concrete proposals to its EU partners. We welcome
further guidance on how Lithuania can play a constructive
role, to include floating specific names to be subject to
sanctions and/or a visa ban.
CLOUD